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Alumni News | 06/27/2025
By: Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation

June 2025 Scholar Accolades

Jackson Blackwell (2017) was selected to represent Alaska at the 2025 Western Governors’ Association Leadership Institute. He recently graduated from Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs with an MPA in International Relations.
Shine Gerkariah (2024) received the David Nicklas Organ Donor Awareness Foundation Award for their advocacy and research in ethical innovation and health equity. Sponsored by MIT, their work in pharmacogenetics examines how medical racism shapes fears around race-based medicine in BIPOC communities. As part of the award, Shine will shadow transplant surgeons, attend the 2025 Donate Life America Conference, and contribute to national conversations on equity in organ donation and genomic medicine.
Erin Orchard (2011) was named in Alaska Journal of Commerce’s 2025 Top Forty Under 40 list earlier this spring. In addition to her work as Development Manager at the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, Erin is a Leadership Seminar Chair for the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) Alaska, corporate campaign leader for the United Way, a 7-year big sister for the Boys and Girls Club of America, and more.

Sean Wheelock (2013), Co-Founder & CEO of Inner Peak AI, was invited to share their company’s work with ABC Toledo’s morning news broadcast. Sean loves to see their mission – to give every student accessible personalized mental wellness support while helping them build resilience and coping skills – getting visibility in their community.

Regina Bain (1994), Executive Director of the iconic Louis Armstrong House Museum & Archives in Queens, New York, spoke at the Yale Directors Forum Global Symposium in Cote D’Ivoire. Regina is currently co-curating a multinational exhibition on Armstrong in Ghana and a digital experience on jazz and hip hop in New York, and shared the Armstrong Museum’s strategies for honoring legacy, engaging communities, and sustaining itself as a vibrant cultural institution.

Brad Galiette (2004) was reelected to a second term leading the Yale College Class of 2008 as its Secretary within the Yale Alumni Association, which connects alumni with each other and with the university. Additionally, he was elected as an Executive Officer of the Yale Club of Hartford and to the Board of the Yale Club of New Haven.

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Alumni News

May 2025 Scholar Accolades

Joel Bervell (2013) won a Peabody Award; Tim McCallum (1991) was elected Mayor of Rockwall, Texas; and Soy Kim (2010) was named one of 5 AAPI Music Executives Making an Impact in 2025 by Variety magazine.

By: Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
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February 2025 Accolades

Hali Borenstein (2003) was named to the 2024 Time100 Next list, Jack Lohmann (2015) and Simon Boehme (2010) released new books, Nyamekye Wilson (2014) was highlighted in Yahoo’s Built By Girls, and more.

By: Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
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January 2025 Accolades

Asahi Pompey (1990) was recognized on the inaugural ForbesBLK 50 list, Travis Gayles (1997) was named CEO of Howard Brown Health, and Julie Gehrki (1998) was named President of the Walmart Foundation.

By: Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
02/05/2025